Ezra Taft Benson Quotes - 175 quotes

Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was an influential American religious leader, farmer, and government official. He was born on August 4, 1899, in Whitney, Idaho and was the oldest of eleven children. Benson earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in agricultural ec... show more

 I have talked face to face with the godless communist leaders. It may surprise you to learn that I was host to Mr. Khrushchev for a half day when he visited the United States, not that I’m proud of it. I opposed his coming then, and I still feel it was a mistake to welcome this atheistic murderer as a state visitor. But, according to President Eisenhower, Khrushchev had expressed a desire to learn something of American Agriculture — and after seeing Russian agriculture I can understand why. As we talked face to face, he indicated that my grandchildren would live under communism. After assuring him that I expected to do all in my power to assure that his and all other grandchildren will live under freedom, he arrogantly declaired in substance: "You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like overripe fruit into our hands." And they’re ahead of schedule in their devilish scheme.
- Ezra Taft Benson
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 We need the constant guidance of that Spirit. We live in an age of deceit.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Blessed by the Almighty in their struggle for liberty and independence, the power of heaven rested on these Founders as they drafted that great document for governing men—The Constitution of the United States … From them we were endowed with a legacy of liberty—a Constitutional Republic.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We must each of us do our homework. 'My people are destroyed' said Hosea, 'for lack of knowledge.' (Hosea 4:6) We must be wise as serpents; for as the Apostle Paul said, 'We wrestle against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places' (Ephesians 6:12) "We are going through what J. Reuben Clark once termed the greatest propaganda campaign fo all time. We cannot believe all we read, and what we can believe is not all of the same value. We must sift. We must learn by study and prayer. "Study the scriptures and study the mortals who have been most consistently accurate about the most important things. When your freedom is at stake, your information had best be accurate.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 For years we have heard of the role the elders could play in saving the Constitution from total destruction. But how can the elders be expected to save it if they have not studied it and are not sure if it is being destroyed or what is destroying it?

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 According to Norman Vincent Peale, ‘There was a time when the American people roared like lions for liberty; now they bleat like sheep for security.’ … It is the devil’s desire that the Lord’s priesthood stay asleep while the strings of tyranny gradually and quietly entangle us until, like Gulliver, we awake too late and find that while we could have broken each string separately as it was put upon us, our sleepiness permitted enough strings to bind us to make a rope that enslave us. … For years we have heard of the role the elders could play in saving the Constitution from total destruction. But how can the elders be expected to save it if they have not studied it and are not sure if it is being destroyed or what is destroying it?

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 No greater immediate responsibility rests upon members of the Church , upon all citizens of this Republic and of neighboring Republics than to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 From the time I was a small boy I was taught that the American Constitution is an inspired document. I was also taught that the day will come when the Constitution will be endangered and hang as it were by a single thread. I was taught that we should study the Constitution, preserve its principles, and defend it against any who would destroy it.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We covenant to live the law of the gospel. The law of the gospel embraces all laws, principles, and ordinances necessary for our exaltation … The law of the gospel is more than understanding the plan of salvation. It consists of partaking of the ordinances and the sealing powers culminating in a man being sealed up unto eternal life … I know that now is the time probably more than any other time in our lives to live the gospel. We should not be lulled away into false security as Nephi said many would be in the last days.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It would be difficult to overestimate the impact the Bible has had on the history of the world. Its pages have blessed the lives of generations … The Founding Fathers knew that “where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). The United States of America began and lives as a result of faith in God. The Bible has been and is the foundation for this faith. “It is impossible to govern the world without the Bible,” said George Washington. The fathers of our country had to turn to religion in order that their new experiment make sense.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Spiritual growth comes by solving problems together—not by running from them. Today’s inordinate emphasis on individualism brings egotism and separation.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The final and crowning virtue of the divine character is charity, or the pure love of Christ (see Moroni 7:47). If we would truly seek to be more like our Savior and Master, learning to love as He loves should be our highest goal. Mormon called charity “the greatest of all’ (Moroni 7:46).The world today speaks a great deal about love, and it is sought for by many. But the pure love of Christ differs greatly from what the world thinks of love. Charity never seeks selfish gratification. The pure love of Christ seeks only the eternal growth and joy of others.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Resurrection. The eventual resurrection of every soul who has lived and died on earth is a scriptural certainty. And surely there is no event for which one should make more careful preparation. Nothing is more absolutely universal than the Resurrection. Every living being will be resurrected. “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 To fulfill the purpose of His omniscient design, our Heavenly Father foreordained certain valiant spirit children and assigned them to come to earth at specific times and places to fulfill their appointments. The greatest of these spirits He reserved to come as prophets and priesthood leaders in His kingdom. “Every man,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith, “who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of Heaven before this world was.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: 'Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction'

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The calling and testing of men for assignment of responsibility in the great work of salvation is, no doubt, going on on both sides of the veil. The calling of men to sacred office is not confined to earth life only. There is organization, direction, and assignment in pre-earth life and in post-earth life also.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s calling is in the home, not in the marketplace.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Again, in the Doctrine and Covenants, we read: “Women have claim on their husbands for their maintenance, until their husbands are taken” (D&C 83:2). This is the divine right of a wife and mother. She cares for and nourishes her children at home. Her husband earns the living for the family, which makes this nourishing possible. With that claim on their husbands for their financial support, the counsel of the Church has always been for mothers to spend their full time in the home in rearing and caring for their children.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We realize also that some of our choice sisters are widowed and divorced and that others find themselves in unusual circumstances where, out of necessity, they are required to work for a period of time. But these instances are the exception, not the rule.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It is a fundamental truth that the responsibilities of motherhood cannot be successfully delegated. No, not to day-care centers, not to schools, not to nurseries, not to babysitters. We become enamored with men’s theories such as the idea of preschool training outside the home for young children. Not only does this put added pressure on the budget, but it places young children in an environment away from mother’s influence. Too often the pressure for popularity, on children and teens, places an economic burden on the income of the father, so mother feels she must go to work to satisfy her children’s needs. That decision can be most shortsighted. It is mother’s influence during the crucial formative years that forms a child’s basic character. Home is the place where a child learns faith, feels love, and thereby learns from mother’s loving example to choose righteousness. How vital are mother’s influence and teaching in the home—and how apparent when neglected!

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It is a misguided idea that a woman should leave the home, where there is a husband and children, to prepare educationally and financially for an unforeseen eventuality. Too often, I fear, even women in the Church use the world as their standard for success and basis for self-worth.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Sound principles and eternal truths need to be frequently repeated so that we do not forget their application nor become dissuaded by other arguments.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Before the world was created, in heavenly councils the pattern and role of women were prescribed. You were elected by God to be wives and mothers in Zion. Exaltation in the celestial kingdom is predicated on faithfulness to that calling.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 In the beginning, Adam was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow—not Eve. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s place is in the home!

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 In the beginning, Adam was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow—not Eve. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s place is in the home! I recognize there are voices in our midst which would attempt to convince you that these truths are not applicable to our present-day conditions. If you listen and heed, you will be lured away from your principal obligations. Beguiling voices in the world cry out for “alternative life-styles” for women. They maintain that some women are better suited for careers than for marriage and motherhood. These individuals spread their discontent by the propaganda that there are more exciting and self-fulfilling roles for women than homemaking. Some even have been bold to suggest that the Church move away from the “Mormon woman stereotype” of homemaking and rearing children. They also say it is wise to limit your family so you can have more time for personal goals and self-fulfillment.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 I am aware that many of you often find yourselves in circumstances that are not always ideal. I know this because I have talked with many of you who, because of necessity, must work and leave your children with others—even though your heart is in your home. To you go my love and sympathy for your present, and I hope temporary, situation and my prayers that you will be blessed by our Heavenly Father to compensate for a situation that is less than you may desire.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Solutions for you who are in a minority are not the same as for the majority of women in the Church who can and should be fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It is a misguided idea that a woman should leave the home, where there is a husband and children, to prepare educationally and financially for an unforeseen eventuality. Too often, I fear, even women in the Church use the world as their standard for success and basis for self-worth.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The seeds of divorce are often sown and the problems of children begin when mother works outside the home. You mothers should carefully count the cost before you decide to share breadwinning responsibilities with your husbands. It is a truism that children need more of mother than of money.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Radiate a spirit of contentment and joy with homemaking. You teach by example your attitude toward homemaking. Your attitude will say to your children, “I am only a housewife” or it will convey, “Homemaking is the highest, most noble profession to which a woman might aspire.” Provide your daughters with opportunities to develop their own skills, by allowing them to bake, cook, sew, and arrange their own rooms.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Treat your children with respect and kindness—just as you would when guests are present. They are, after all, more meaningful to you than guests. Teach your children never to speak unkindly to others regarding members of the family. Be loyal to one another.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 As the prophet reveals the truth, it divides the people. The honest in heart heed his words, but the unrighteous either ignore the prophet or fight him. When the prophet points out the sins of the world, the worldly either want to close the mouth of the prophet, or else act as if the prophet didn’t exist, rather than repent of their sins. Popularity is never a test of truth. Many a prophet has been killed or cast out. As we come closer to the Lord’s second coming, you can expect that as the people of the world become more wicked, the prophet will be less popular with them

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Book of Mormon is the “keystone” of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone … The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. This was the Prophet Joseph Smith's statement. He testified that "the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion" (Book of Mormon Introduction). A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if it is removed the arch crumbles.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 This life is intended to provide an opportunity to help our Father in Heaven with His great plan, and we do that through honorable parenthood. We cooperate with our Heavenly Father in helping to prepare tabernacles to house spirits of His other children. So the matter of marriage, the home, and the family is a vital part of the plan of our Heavenly Father.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?” asked the Master, and He answered, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27) Now, there is a lifetime goal—to walk in His steps, to perfect ourselves in every virtue as He has done, to seek His face (see D&C 101:38), and to work to make our calling and election sure (see 2 Peter 1:10)

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 Let us never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:16). Let us never be afraid to do what is right. Let us trust in God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). I know, and so do you who have testimonies of the divinity of this work, that without God's help we cannot succeed, but with His help we can accomplish anything He asks us to do. And we can do it with a feeling of assurance, confidence, and with a spirit of serenity which can be a joy and blessing to all of us.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 For free agency is an eternal principle. It existed before the world was formed - it will exist forever.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When Satan begins to grin and show his teeth, you may know there are sheep not far off.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 As a prophet reveals the truth it divides the people. The honest in heart heed his words but the unrighteous either ignore the prophet or fight him.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Sooner or later, the accumulation of power in a central government leads to a loss of freedom. Once power is concentrated, even for helpful purposes, it is all there, in one package, where it can be grabbed by those who may not be helpful in its use. If power is diffused, this cannot happen. This is why founders of our country carefully divided power between the state and federal levels.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren't interested in changing their opinions to agree with God's.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 As God’s offspring, we have His attributes in us. We are gods in embryo, and thus have an unlimited potential for progress and attainment.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 ...when we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the...demands on our time, the interest we pursue, and the order of our priorities.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in...The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature"

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. ... Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We are to use the Book of Mormon in handling objections to the Church.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Now, we have not been using the Book of Mormon as we should. Our homes are not as strong unless we are using it to bring our children to Christ. Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the book to expose and combat falsehoods in socialism, rationalism, etc.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The situation in the world will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of God and quit building up and upholding secret combinations, which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of ancient civilizations.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 "Even Jesus Christ, while facing that supreme test of being temporarily left alone by our Father during the crucifixion, continued performing his labors for the children of men, and then shortly thereafter he was glorified and received a fullness of joy. ...While you are going through your trial...you can have that certain knowledge that in due time greater blessings will follow and that God will wipe away all tears." (edited)

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 One of the great responsibilities that we have is in connection with temple work—work for the living as well as the dead, because to our Father all of His children are living whether they are here in mortality or have passed on to the spirit world. All of them must receive the gospel or have the opportunity to receive it. This means, of course, that missionary work is going on the other side of the veil.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Some prideful people are not so concerned as to whether their wages meet their needs as they are that their wages are more than someone else’s. Their reward is being a cut above the rest. This is the enmity of pride.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against someone in authority over us. It can be a parent, a priesthood leader, a teacher, or ultimately God. A proud person hates the fact that someone is above him. He thinks this lowers his position.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride. “How everything affects me” is the center of all that matters—self-conceit, self-pity, worldly self-fulfillment, self-gratification, and self-seeking.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 “A state of confusion is an effective environment for Satan. There is much confusion today. He employs several methods to create it. One is the distortion of definitions.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 That picture has stayed in my memory ever since: America on her knees in recognition that all our blessings come from God! America on her knees out of a desire to serve the God of this land by keeping His commandments! America on her knees, not driven there in capitulation to some despotic government, but on her knees freely, willingly, gratefully! This is the sovereign remedy to all of our problems and the preservation of our liberties. Yes, those valiant patriots and pioneers left us a great heritage. Are we prepared to do what they did? Will we pledge our lives, our possessions, our sacred honor for future generations and the upbuilding of God’s kingdom on the earth?

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.

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 After all, eternity will be but an extension of righteous family life.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Every family has problems and challenges. But successful families try to work together toward solutions instead of resorting to criticism and contention. They pray for each other, discuss, and give encouragement. Occasionally these families fast together in support of one of the family members. Strong families support each other.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 You will miss one of the deepest joys of this life and eternity if you willfully avoid the responsibilities of parenthood and home-building.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints views the family as the most important organization in time and all eternity. The Church teaches that everything should center in and around the family. It stresses that the preservation of family life in time and eternity takes precedence above all other interests.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Some people ask me as a Church leader why we place so much emphasis on the home and family when there are such larger problems around us? The answer is, of course, that the larger problems are merely a reflection of individual and family problems.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon is similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time…The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ… It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 For Communism is just another form of socialism, as is fascism. So now you can see the picture. These liberals want you to know how much they are doing for you – with your tax money of course. But they don’t want you to realize that the path they are pursuing is socialistic, and that socialism is the same as communism in its ultimate effect on our liberties. When you point this out they want to shut you up – they accuse you of maligning them, of casting aspersions, of being political. No matter whether they label their bottle as liberalism, progressivism, or social reform – I know the contents of the bottle is poison to this Republic and I’m going to call it poison.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 As further noted in this scripture (Moses 6:57-59), the fundamental doctrines consist of the doctrine of the Fall, the mission of Christ and His atonement, and the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, which include faith in Christ, repentance, baptism for a remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost as the means to a sanctified life.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 In all ages prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it-this is a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time than there is of us. Never before on the face of this earth have the forces of evil and the forces of good been so well organized. Now is the great day of the devil’s power. But now is also the great day of the Lord’s power…. While our generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time: God has saved for the final inning some of His stronger and most valiant children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly…. You are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God….The final outcome is certain-the forces of righteousness will win.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 “The fight for freedom cannot be divorced from the gospel – the plan of salvation.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 “I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed his stamp of approval on the constitution of this land.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 I mention family councils because of our consistent emphasis on family unity and family solidarity, by encouraging parents to hold family councils, we imitate in our homes the heavenly pattern.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 One of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed and organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road to avoid being "controversial" and get hit by the traffic going both ways. To the patriots I say this: Take that long eternal look. Stand up for freedom, no matter what the cost. It can help to save your soul -- and maybe your country. The days ahead are sobering and challenging and will demand the faith, prayers and loyalty of every American.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Today you cannot effectively fight for freedom and not be attacked -- and those who think they can are deceiving themselves ... A man must not only stand for the right principles, but he must fight for them. And let me at this time salute those valiant patriots who have banded together in well-structured organizations with an intelligent program, and who are courageously acting to preserve and to restore and safeguard our inspired Constitution. They can be proud of the friends they've gained and the enemies they've earned.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Another recent development has been the call for national unity. I believe there needs to be a unity in our land. But it must not be blind, senseless, irresponsible unity. It should not be unity just for the sake of unity. It needs to be a unity built on sound principles. We Americans have strayed far from sound principles -- morally, constitutionally, and historically.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 A major reason why there is famine in some parts of the world is because evil men have used the vehicle of government to abridge the freedom that men need to produce abundantly.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Sometimes from behind the pulpit, in our classrooms, in our Council meetings and in our church publications we hear, read or witness things that do not square with the truth.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 There is the ever-expectancy of death, but in reality there is no death-no permanent parting. The Resurrection is a reality. The scriptures are replete with evidence. Almost immediately after the glorious resurrection of the Lord, Matthew records: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:52-53.) The Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos “saw the dead, small and great, stand before God” (Revelation 20:12). (CR April 1971, Ensign 1 [June 1971]: 33.) Life does not end with death. As our mortal life is a place of temporary duration, so is the spirit world. The time is not far distant when the righteous in the world of spirits will come forth in the glorious morning of the first resurrection, clothed with honor, glory, and priesthood power.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon is similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time…The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ… It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The history of all mankind shows very clearly that if we would be free -- and if we would stay free -- we must stand eternal watch against the accumulation of too much power in government

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Lord has so arranged things in this life that men are free agents unto themselves to do good or evil. The Lord allows men to go only so far, but the latitude is great enough that some men promote much wickedness and other men much righteousness. Clearly, there would be little trial of faith if we received our full reward immediately for every goodly deed, or immediate retribution for every sin. But that there will be an eventual reckoning for each, there is no question.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The fundamental principle of our religion is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ … Now let me describe to you what faith in Jesus Christ means. Faith in Him is more than mere acknowledgment that He lives. It is more than professing belief. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him. As God, He has infinite power, intelligence, and love. There is no human problem beyond His capacity to solve. Because He descended below all things, He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties. Faith in Him means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does. We, therefore, must look to Him “in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36) …His gospel is the perfect prescription for all human problems and social ills. But His gospel is effective only as it is applied in our lives. Therefore, we must “feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell [us] all things that [we] should do” (2 Nephi 32:3) Unless we do His teachings, we do not demonstrate faith in Him.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Many great events have transpired in this land of destiny [America]. This was the place where Adam dwelt; this was the place where the Garden of Eden was; it was here that Adam met with a body of high priests at Adam-ondi-Ahman shortly before his death and gave them his final blessing, and the place to which he will return to meet with the leaders of his people (D&C 107:53-57). This was the place of three former civilizations: that of Adam, that of the Jaredites, and that of the Nephites. This was also the place where our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith, inaugurating the last dispensation.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 First and foremost, nothing except God Himself takes priority over your wife in your life—not work, not recreation, not hobbies.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Concerning those who will receive the terrestrial, or lesser, kingdom, the Lord said, “These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God” D&C 76:79 Not to be valiant in one’s testimony is a tragedy of eternal consequence. These are members who know that this latter-day work is true but who fail to endure to the end. Some may even hold temple recommends, but they do not magnify their callings in the Church. Without valor, they do not take an affirmative stand for the kingdom of God. Some seek the praise, adulation, and honors of men; others attempt to conceal their sins; and a few criticize those who preside over them.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time 'this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction' (Journal of Discourses, 7:15). It is my conviction that the Elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of constitutional government.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Prophet Joseph Smith was not only “one of the noble and great ones,” but he gave and continues to give attention to important matters here on the earth even today from the realms above. For in the eyes of the Lord, the God of this world under the Father, it is all one great eternal program in which the Prophet Joseph plays an important role, all through the eternal priesthood and authority of God.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Death is fundamental to our eternal progression. We are reminded by the Psalmist that “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). Isaiah has also declared that the Savior will “swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8) ... Appropriately we “weep for the loss of them that die,” for the Lord has so commanded us (see D&C 4:45). But we also take great consolation through the Comforter that those who die in the Lord “shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them” (D&C 42:46).

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Another of the purposes of man’s mortal probation is to pass through the experience we call death. This experience is necessary “to fulfill the merciful plan of the great Creator” (2 Nephi 9:6). In death, the body returns to the earth or the elements from which it was created, and the spirit goes into the world of spirits—there to wait the day of resurrection. “Life is real! life is earnest! / And the grave is not its goal; / Dust thou art, to dust returnest, / Was not spoken of the soul.” (Henry Longfellow, “A Psalm of Life.”) ... Indisputably there is life after death. Mortality is a place of temporary duration—and so is the spirit world. As inevitable as death is to mortals, so also is an eventual resurrection to those in the spirit world.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Our main task is to declare the gospel and do it effectively. We are not obligated to answer every objection. Every man eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We, the members of the Church, and particularly the missionaries, have to be the “hissers,” or the tellers and testifiers, of the Book of Mormon unto the ends of the earth.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Book of Mormon is the great standard we are to use. It shows that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It contains the words of Christ, and its great mission is to bring men to Christ, and all other things are secondary. The golden question of the Book of Mormon is “Do you want to learn more of Christ?” The Book of Mormon is the great finder of the golden contact. It does not contain things which are “pleasing unto the world” (1 Ne. 6:5), and so the worldly are not interested in it. It is a great sieve.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who does not.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The foundation of a happy home must be laid during premarital days.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Religion and science have sometimes appeared in conflict. Yet, the conflict can only be apparent, not real, for science seeks truth, and true religion is truth. There can never be conflict between revealed religion and true science. Truth is truth, whether labeled science or religion. All truth is consistent.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 You should realize that there is a grave danger in building your premarital associations on a physical basis of necking, petting, and fornication.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Apostle Paul wrote to members of the Church at Thessalonica that the second coming of Jesus Christ “shall not come, except there come a falling away first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). And Peter likewise wrote: “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies . . . and many shall follow their pernicious ways” (2 Peter 2:1-2). So the world entered that long night of apostasy, the Dark Ages. The church, no longer sanctioned by God, exercised an oppressive tyranny on the minds of men and shackled them with chains of false traditions.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The proud depend upon the world to tell them whether they have value or not. Their self-esteem is determined by where they are judged to be on the ladders of worldly success. They feel worthwhile as individuals if the numbers beneath them in achievement, talent, beauty, or intellect are large enough. Pride is ugly. It says, “If you succeed, I am a failure.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The scriptures testify that the proud are easily offended and hold grudges. They withhold forgiveness to keep another in their debt and to justify their injured feelings.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The proud do not receive counsel or correction easily. Defensiveness is used by them to justify and rationalize their frailties and failures.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Those intrepid forebears knew that their righteousness was the indispensable ingredient to liberty, that this was the greatest legacy they could pass on to future generations. They would counsel us to preserve that liberty by alert righteousness. Righteousness is always measured by a nation or an individual keeping the commandments of God.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 President Wilford Woodruff tells of an interesting incident that occurred in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith: . . . " 'Brother Joseph turned to Brother Brigham Young and said, "Brother Brigham I want you to go to the podium and tell us your views with regard to the living oracles and the written word of God." Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: "There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now," said he, "when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books." That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation; "Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth." ' (Conference Report, October 1897, pp. 18–19.) ". . . Therefore the most important prophet so far as you and I are concerned is the one living in our day and age to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us. Therefore the most important reading we can do is any of the words of the prophet contained each month in our Church Magazines. Our instructions about what we should do for each six months are found in the General Conference addresses which are printed in the Church magazine.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Fathers and mothers in strong families stay close to their children. They talk. Some fathers formally interview each child, others do so informally, and others take occasion to regularly spend time alone with each child.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Successful parents have found that it is not easy to rear children in an environment polluted with evil. Therefore, they take deliberate steps to provide the best of wholesome influences. Moral principles are taught. Good books are made available and read. Television watching is controlled. Good and uplifting music is provided. But most importantly, the scriptures are read and discussed as a means to help develop spiritual-mindedness.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Children must be taught to work at home. They should learn there that honest labor develops dignity and self-respect. They should learn the pleasure of work, of doing a job well.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The leisure time of children must be constructively directed to wholesome, positive pursuits.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The love we know here is not a fleeting shadow, but the very substance that binds families together for time and eternity.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Restraint and self-control must be ruling principles in the marriage relationship. Couples must learn to bridle their tongues as well as their passions.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Strong families cultivate an attribute of effective communication. They talk out their problems, make plans together, and cooperate toward common objectives. Family home evening and family councils are practiced and used as effective tools toward this end.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The temple ceremony was given by a wise Heavenly Father to help us become more Christlike. The endowment was revealed by revelation and can be understood only by revelation. The instruction is given in symbolic language. The late Apostle John A. Widtsoe taught, "No man or woman can come out of the temple endowed as he should be, unless he has seen, beyond the symbol, the mighty realities for which the symbol stands."

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 As the Church grows, it is very important that we build solidly and well, and that our prospective stakes have the basic ingredients that are necessary for success and that existing stakes work tirelessly for full stakehood in the sense of spiritual achievement. These stakes are to be the gathering spots for the Zion of today, and they need to be spiritual sanctuaries and to be self-sufficient in as many ways as is possible.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Celestial laws, embodied in certain ordinances belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, are complied with by voluntary covenants. The laws are spiritual. Thus, our Father in Heaven has ordained certain holy sanctuaries, called temples, in which these laws may be fully explained. The laws include the law of obedience and sacrifice, the law of the gospel, the law of chastity, and the law of consecration.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We covenant to live the law of consecration. This law is that we consecrate our time, talents, strength, property, and money for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God on this earth and the establishment of Zion.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 At least twenty great civilizations have disappeared. The pattern is shockingly similar. All before their collapse, showed a decline in spiritual values, in moral stamina, and in the freedom and responsibility of their citizens. They showed such symptoms as excessive taxation, bloated bureaucracy, government paternalism, and generally a rather elaborate set of supports, controls, and regulations, affecting prices, wages, production, and consumption.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Pride is essentially competitive in nature.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature … Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 I fear for the future when I realize that our once-free institutions —political, economic, educational, and social—have been drifting into the hands of those who favor the welfare state, and who would ‘centralize all power in the hands of the political apparatus in Washington. This enhancement of political power at the expense of individual rights, so often disguised as ‘democracy’ or ‘freedom’ or ‘civil rights,’ is ‘socialism,’ no matter what name tag it bears.’

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Righteous concern about conditions is commendable when it leads to constructive action. But undue worry is debilitating. When we have done what we can, then let's leave the rest to God -- including the worrying

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It is my conviction that the world needs, as it needs no other thing, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the people of the world want what the gospel will give, but they do not realize it. They want the anchor which the gospel provides, which gives them the answers to the problems that face them; that brings them a feeling of security and a feeling of inner peace. The gospel is the only answer to the problems of the world, my brethren and sisters. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family. The world is hungry for true religion, and we have it.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 This communist convention issued an edict that the rising tide of patriotism and anti-communism must be smashed -- especially in the United States. All the tricks of the hate propaganda and smear tactics were to be unleashed on the heads of American patriots. Now, if the communists had been forced to do this job themselves, it would have been an utter failure. Americans would have simply closed ranks and united. But what mixes up so many people was the fact that the attack on patriotism and the smear of the anti-communist movement did not come in the name of Moscow. It came in the name of influential Americans who espoused the socialist-communist line. This was a minority bloc of American liberals who formed a propaganda coalition with the communists. Their strategy was ingenious. Almost overnight they drew the line of fire away from the communist conspiracy and focused the heat of attack on the patriots. ... They had frightened uninformed citizens away from study groups and patriotic rallies. They had made it popular to call patriotism a "controversial" subject which should not be discussed in school assemblies or churches.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 “It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The drift toward centralization of power ... can be halted, reversed ... by state and local governments insisting that theirs is the responsibility for problems that are essentially local and state problems -- insisting upon this, with the knowledge that responsibility and authority go hand in hand. Inevitably, in centralized federal programs the money is not as wisely spent as if the states participated financially. The people come to look to the federal government as the provider, at no cost to them, of whatever is needful. The truth is that the federal government has no funds which it does not first, in some manner, take from the people. A dollar cannot make the round trip to Washington and back without shrinking in the process. As taxpayers we need to recognize these facts; programs which obscure them are contrary to the public interest. ... In the last analysis, we are not trying to protect one government entity from another. We are trying to protect the rights of individual people. If we ever forget this, the whole process of government is pointless.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 These basic American beliefs, principles, and attitudes are threatened today as never before ... by 3 groups: 1 - They are threatened by well-meaning but uninformed people who see the shortcomings of our economic system and believe they can legislate them out of existence. They try to reach the promised land by passing laws. They do not understand our economic system and its limitations. They would load it down with burdens it was never intended to carry. As their schemes begin to break down, more and more controls must be supplied. Patch is placed upon patch,... by degree, freedom is lost without our desiring to lose it and without our knowing why or how it was lost. 2 - self-seeking men who see in government legislation a way to obtain special privileges for themselves or to restrain their competitors ... These people have no love for freedom or enterprise. ... They would learn the value of freedom only after it was gone. 3 - A third, still much smaller group is dedicated to the overthrow of the economic and social system that is our tradition. Their philosophy does no stem from Jefferson, but is foreign to our shores. ...These men understand our system thoroughly and they hate it thoroughly. They enlist innocent but willing followers from the uninformed and the unprincipled. Through rabble-rousing and demagoguery they play upon the economic reverses and hardships of the unsuspecting. They promise the impossible, and call black white, and mislead with fallacies masqueraded as truth

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The precepts of man have gone so far in subverting our educational system that in many cases a higher degree today, in the so-called social sciences, can be tantamount to a major investment in error. Very few men build firmly enough on the rock of revelation to go through this kind of an indoctrination and come out untainted. Unfortunately, of those who succumb, some use their higher degree to get teaching positions even in our Church educational system, where they spread the falsehoods they have been taught. President Joseph F. Smith was right when he said that false educational ideas would be one of the three threats to the Church within (Gospel Doctrine, pp. 312-13).

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Pride fades our feelings of sonship to God and brotherhood to man. It separates and divides us by 'ranks', according to our 'riches' and our 'chances for learning.'...Unity is impossible for a proud people, and unless we are one we are not the Lord's.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 As I have sought direction from the Lord, I have had reaffirmed in my mind and heart the declaration of the Lord to “say nothing but repentance unto this generation” D&C 6:9; 11:9 This has been a theme of every latter-day prophet, along with his testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 I challenge the fathers and husbands of this nation. Gentlemen, who is to restore honor, honesty, virtue, integrity, and loyalty to our way of life? We, as fathers and husbands, are the real leaders of our civilization -- of our nation. We are responsible if the blight on its glory is not removed. Gentlemen, let our cry be: 'I shall become and remain a man of principle. I shall lead my family , my friends, my community and my nation also in the way of principle and not of expediency. I will defend my freedom and the freedom of my fellow men. I will raise my head high and look every man in the eye unashamed of my defense of that which is good'....I challenge us all to advocate, desire, teach and live God-fearing lives of righteousness. Truly American lives. Let us stand up for freedom. Let us be true to God, family and country.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The central issue in the premortal council was: Shall the children of God have untrammeled agency to choose the course they should follow, whether good or evil, or shall they be coerced and forced to be obedient? Christ and all who followed him stood for the former proposition—freedom of choice; Satan stood for the latter—coercion and force. The war that began in heaven over this issue is not yet over. The conflict continues on the battlefield of mortality. And one of Lucifer’s primary strategies has been to restrict our agency through the power of earthly governments.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 One of the grand promises which the Lord made when he restored his Church in these latter days was that the Church should never again be taken from the earth (D&C 13:1) nor given to another people (Dan. 2:44). This is reassuring, for no matter how much individual apostasy we may see occur among Church members, the Church itself shall endure and remain intact. Our task, then, is to see that we personally endure to the end in faithful fellowship with the Church.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It is important to realize that while the Church is made up of mortals, no mortal is the Church. Judas, for a period of time, was a member of the Church — in fact, one of its apostles — but the Church was not Judas.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Yes, within the Church today there are tares among the wheat and wolves within the flock. As President Clark stated, "The ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than . . . We should be careful of them". The wolves amongst our flock are more numerous and devious today than when President Clark made this statement.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It is well that our people understand this principle, so they will not be misled by those apostates within the Church who have not yet repented or been cut off. But there is a cleansing coming. The Lord says that his vengeance shall be poured out "upon the inhabitants of the earth . . . And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me" (D&C 112:24-26). I look forward to that cleansing; its need within the Church is becoming increasingly apparent.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Sometimes we hear someone refer to a division in the Church. In reality, the Church is not divided. It simply means that there are some who, for the time being at least, are members of the Church but not in harmony with it. These people have a temporary membership and influence in the Church; but unless they repent, they will be missing when the final membership records are recorded.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Not only are there apostates within our midst, but there are also apostate doctrines that are sometimes taught in our classes and from our pulpits and that appear in our publications. And these apostate precepts of men cause our people to stumble.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Christ taught that we should be in the world but not of it (John 17:11,14-16). Yet there are some in our midst who are not so much concerned about taking the gospel into the world as they are about bringing worldliness into the gospel. They want us to be in the world and of it. They want us to be popular with the worldly even though a prophet has said that this is impossible, for all hell would then want to join us.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men's judgement....The reasoning of men overrides the revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The love we know here is not a fleeting shadow, but the very substance that binds families together for time and eternity.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lost his life in the service of God will find eternal life.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of 'my will and not thine be done.'...The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives (see Helaman 12:6).

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride. 'How everything affects me' is the center of all that matters - self-conceit, self-pity, worldly self-fulfillment, self-gratification, and self seeking.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiffneckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 in the eternal perspective, children—not possessions, not position, not prestige—are our greatest jewels.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We covenant to live the law of consecration. This law is that we consecrate our time, talents, strength, property, and money for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God on this earth and the establishment of Zion. Until one abides by the laws of obedience, sacrifice, the gospel, and chastity, he cannot abide the law of consecration, which is the law pertaining to the celestial kingdom. “For if you will that I give you place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you” (D&C 78:7).

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Your most important friendships should be with your own brothers and sisters and with your father and mother. Love your family. Be loyal to them. Have a genuine concern for your brothers and sisters. Help carry their load.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We must remember that though the church is engaged in business, it is not the business world. Its success is measured in terms of souls saved, not in profit and loss. We need, of course, to be efficient and productive, but we also need to keep our focus on eternal objectives. Be cautious about imposing secular methods and terminology on sacred priesthood functions. Remember that rational problem-solving procedures, though helpful, will not be solely sufficient in the work of the kingdom. God’s work must be done by faith, prayer, and by the spirit. ‘And if it be by some other way, it is not of God.’ (Doctrine and Covenants 50:18)’

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Resurrection is a reality. Activity to help promote our Father’s work is going forward among the disembodied spirits who have left this life. It will continue to go forward until every one of God’s children has had an opportunity to receive the gospel, to hear it and to have it explained to them. And then at the end of that millennial period we will all stand judgment. There is a partial judgment before, but the final judgment will be at the end.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 God has again revealed Himself from heaven and restored to the earth His holy priesthood with power to administer in all the sacred ordinances necessary for the exaltation of His children. His Church has been reestablished among men with all the spiritual gifts enjoyed anciently. All this is done in preparation for Christ’s second coming.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 If a couple are true to their covenants, they are entitled to the blessing of the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. These covenants today can only be entered into by going to the house of the Lord. Adam followed this order and brought his posterity into the presence of God. He is the great example to follow. When our children obey the Lord and go to the temple to receive their blessings and enter into the marriage covenant, they enter into the same order of the priesthood that God instituted in the beginning with father Adam. This order of priesthood can only be entered into when we comply with all the commandments of God and seek the blessings of the fathers as did Abraham by going to our Father’s house. They are received in no other place on this earth.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We covenant to live the law of chastity. The law of chastity is virtue and sexual purity. This law places us under covenant to live this commandment strictly … A reason for virtue—which includes personal chastity, clean thoughts and practices, and integrity—is that we must have the Spirit and the power of God in our lives to do God’s work. Without that power and influence we are no better off than individuals in other organizations. That virtue shines through and will influence others toward a better life and cause nonmembers to inquire of our faith.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Atonement—The Lord testified, “I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross.” (3 Nephi 27:13-14.) And so He was. In Gethsemane and on Calvary, He worked out the infinite and eternal atonement. It was the greatest single act of love in recorded history. Thus He became our Redeemer-redeeming all of us from physical death, and redeeming those of us from spiritual death who will obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We have a well-rounded program for the youth of the Church [Young Men and Young Women]. And we are not dealing with ordinary young people. We are working with choice spirits who need the full Church program. We want them to have the benefit of this program in its fulness, that they might develop into the kind of young men and young women which the Lord would have them become. Of course, these programs are not ends in themselves. They are tools. They are a means to an end. The end is the salvation and exaltation of God’s children … Our business is to build men, to exalt them, to save them, and all this machinery, all this program of the Church, is simply a means to an end. That is why we meet so much, why we study, have our classes, why we have our activities.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 President Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1986 So will we be victorious as we hold up the arms of the Lord’s anointed servants

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Be mindful that there are many phenomena in God’s universe that cannot, to our present human understanding, be explained.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of the book. It is a record of a fallen people, compiled by inspired men for our blessing. Those people never had the book—it was meant for us.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves. Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Pride is a damning sin in the true sense of that word. It limits or stops progression. The proud are not easily taught. They won’t change their minds to accept truths, because to do so implies they have been wrong.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Theirs was a philosophy that neither the world nor the government owes a man his bread. Man is commanded of God to live by the sweat of his brow, not someone else’s. In Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address, he counseled us toward a wise and frugal government, one which “shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it had earned.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition—the divine right of kings. At issue was the fundamental question of whether men’s rights were God-given or whether these rights were to be dispensed by governments to their subjects. This document proclaimed that all men have certain inalienable rights. In other words, these rights came from God. Therefore, the colonists were not rebels against political authority, but a free people only exercising their rights before an offending, usurping power. They were thus morally justified to do what they did.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing. The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 We live in an age of deceit. “O my people,” said Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, “they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths.” (2 Ne. 13:12.) Even within the Church we have been warned that “the ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep’s clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I do not think our civilization will die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care -- when the spiritual forces that make us wish to be right and noble die in the hearts of men, when we disregard the importance of law and order ... If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers -- normally good Americans, but Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free, Americans who have been lulled away into a false security. Great nations are never conquered from outside unless they are rotten inside. Our greatest national problem today is erosion, not the erosion of the soil but erosion of the national morality -- erosion of traditional enforcement of law and order.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature … Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When a priesthood holder takes upon himself the Melchizedek Priesthood, he does so by oath and covenant. This is not so with the Aaronic Priesthood. The covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood is that a priesthood holder will magnify his calling in the priesthood, will give diligent heed to the commandments of God, and will live by every word which proceeds "from the mouth of God" (see D&C 84:33-44). The oath of the Melchizedek Priesthood is an irrevocable promise by God to faithful priesthood holders. "All that my Father hath shall be given unto them" (see D&C 84:38). This oath by Deity, coupled with the covenant by faithful priesthood holders, is referred to as the oath and covenant of the priesthood.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When obedience ceases to be an irritant, and becomes a quest, at that moment God gives us an endowment of power.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 It’s easier to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes a desire, revelation will flow.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place, or drop out of our lives.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 “Yes, give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a young woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity.”

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. … Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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 The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserve the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will exert influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God.

- Ezra Taft Benson

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